Mainframe Connect

The Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I am a Mainframer series, Riveting Mainframe Voices series, and other content exploring relevant topics with mainframe professionals. The I am a Mainframer series explores the careers of those in the mainframe ecosystem. Hosted by Steven Dickens.The podcast is sponsored by the Open Mainframe Project, a Linux Foundation project that aims to build community and adoption of Open Source on the mainframe by eliminating barriers to Open Source adoption on the mainframe, demonstrating the value of the mainframe.

Mainframe Connect is a technology podcast hosted by Open Mainframe Project, with 96 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 82. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Open Mainframe Project hosts Mainframe Connect, a technology show with 96 episodes published.

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  Mainframe Connect

  I Am a Mainframer: Geoffrey Decker on Teaching Mainframe Skills and Building the Next Generation

  Aug 18, 202627 min

  Join host Steven Dickens in this August episode of I Am a Mainframer featuring Geoffrey Decker, instructor at Northern Illinois University, as he shares how he has spent more than 24 years teaching assembler, COBOL, and foundational mainframe skills to thousands of students.With back-to-school season in full swing, Geoffrey discusses why teaching mainframe fundamentals matters, how students react when they first encounter assembler and 3270-style environments, and why hands-on learning with tools like ISPF, VS Code, IntelliJ, and Zowe helps prepare them for real careers.He also explores the ongoing debate around the mainframe skills gap, the strong career outcomes his students are seeing, and why he believes employers should do more to recognize the talent already coming out of universities and training programs.From student success stories and curriculum challenges to AI’s role in documenting legacy systems, this episode highlights the value of a proven academic pipeline and the importance of keeping mainframe education relevant for the future.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations from Mainframe Connect and the I Am a Mainframer series.#IAmAMainframer #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #BackToSchool #MainframeEducation #Assembler #COBOL #NIU #TechCareers

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  Mainframe Connect

  I am a Mainframer: Bruno Laurent on Mainframe Modernization, Cloud Development, and AI

  Jul 14, 202617 min

  Join host Steven Dickens in this episode of I Am a Mainframer featuring Bruno Laurent, who shares how he started his mainframe journey in 1998 and how that path led him to modernise mainframe development at Euroclear.Bruno discusses why cloud development environments matter for attracting new talent, how moving beyond traditional 3270 workflows makes mainframe work more accessible, and how tools like Visual Studio Code, Zowe, and AI are helping reshape the developer experience.He also reflects on the importance of keeping mainframe skills current, supporting the next generation of developers, and why the platform continues to evolve with modern technology and business needs.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations from Mainframe Connect and the I Am a Mainframer series.#IAmAMainframer #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #MainframeModernization #CloudDevelopment #Zowe #AI #Euroclear #TechCareers

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  Mainframe Connect

  I am a Mainframer: Brahadambal Srinivasan on Linux on Z, OpenSource & Building a Career in Mainframe

  Jun 16, 202619 min

  Join host Steven Dickens in this episode of *I Am a Mainframer* featuring Brahadambal Srinivasan, Technical Architect at IBM, as she shares her journey from Linux and open source to leading teams working on Linux on Z.Brahadambal talks about how her team helps maintain and port open source packages, why Linux on Z is still Linux, and what it takes to support applications on the s390x architecture. She also explains how IBM works with the Open Mainframe Project and the open source community to keep changes upstream and improve access through repositories and GitHub Actions runners.The conversation also covers her experience leading a global Gen Z team, the importance of patience in building a career, and her view of the mainframe’s future as a platform that will continue to grow alongside AI and modern innovation.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations from *Mainframe Connect* and the *I Am a Mainframer* series.#IAmAMainframer #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #IBM #LinuxOnZ #s390x #OpenSource #TechCareers

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  Mainframe Connect

  Mainframe Voices: What Signals and Trends Should the Community Watch?

  Jun 2, 202612 min

  In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore the signals and trends the mainframe community should be watching closely right now, from AI and modernisation to talent and skills. Our guests share what stands out to them most, and how these shifts may shape the future of the platform and the people working in it.We are delighted to have our guests:Geoffrey Decker – IBM Z Champion 2022–2026 | Instructor, Northern Illinois University Jakub Balhar – Engineer at Broadcom Inc. | Zowe TSC Chair | IBM Champion 2025, 2026 Brahadambal Srinivasan – Technical Architect at IBM | Open Source & Linux on Z Erin Joel Moore – IBM Z Student Ambassador The Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I Am a Mainframer series, Mainframe Voices, and other content exploring relevant topics with mainframe professionals, sponsored by the Open Mainframe Project, a Linux Foundation initiative.#MainframeVoices #MainframeConnect #OpenMainframeProject #LinuxFoundation #Mainframe #AI #Modernization #OpenSource

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  Mainframe Connect

  I Am a Mainframer: J.J. Lovett on Mainframe Careers, Open Source & Skills Gap

  May 13, 202622 min

  In this episode of the Mainframe Connect podcast's I Am a Mainframer series, J.J. Lovett, Lead for Education and Customer Engagement at Broadcom Mainframe Division, shares his journey from CA Technologies customer advocacy to leading Mainframe Open Education, Vitality programs, and practitioner engagement at events like SHARE and IDUG.J.J. tackles the mainframe skills gap head-on, explaining why it's both a navigation challenge (knowing where to find talent) and a time gap (2-4 years to master sysprog/admin roles). He highlights shifting demographics—millennials and Gen Z now dominate BMC surveys—and how Broadcom addresses this through student user groups, mentorship, and open source integration with projects like Zowe and COBOL."The mainframe isn't a job, it's a career" – J.J. advises college grads: start with z/OS Explore, embrace risks, and recognise mainframe's extensibility through APIs. He shares his vision for proactive succession planning and a future where mainframe experience makes technologists more versatile across IT.Celebrating Military Appreciation Month – J.J. represents military veterans bringing discipline and leadership to mainframe education and customer success during May's Military Appreciation Month.#mainframe #IamaMainframer #OpenSource #Broadcom #MainframeSkills #MilitaryAppreciationMonth #podcast #openmainframeproject #LinuxFoundation #StevenDickens #MainframeConnect #Careers #Zowe

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